Snapshots: The Weeknd @ FedEx Field — 7/30/22

Posted on August 1, 2022 by shedrick pelt in Live Review and tagged Canada, FedEx Field, hip hop, new wave, R&B, The Weeknd, Toronto.

**The Weeknd performs at FedEx Field on July 30, 2022. (Photo by Shedrick Pelt)**

Few artists have the star power to pack out an 82,000 stadium seat venue like Canadian-born masked singer-songwriter The Weeknd. With all of his feels and theatrics in tow, he’s made a super successful career on a bigger than life persona.

Abel Makkonen Tesfaye (The Weeknd) burst onto the music scene with a slew of popular mixtapes that helped him quickly gain a loyal, unwavering fan base. His enigmatic records can best be described as romantic and dark often inspired by his own personal experiences. A journey that has led him to numerous accolades, including four Grammy Awards and 20 Billboard Music Awards,… and now to FedEx field for a concert spectacular!

Snapshots: Lucius @ 9:30 Club — 5/9/22

Posted on May 19, 2022 by shedrick pelt in Live Review and tagged 9:30 Club, Americana, California, Los Angeles, Lucius.

Lucius performs at 9:30 Club on May 9, 2022. (Photo by Shedrick Pelt)

Exuberant songstresses Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig of the band Lucius brought harmony, grace, and a whollata pazazz to the stage not too long ago at the 9:30 Club Dedicated fans of all ages showed up in droves to support their favorite act.

Snapshots: National Cannabis Festival @ RFK Stadium Festival Grounds — 4/23/22

Posted on April 28, 2022 by shedrick pelt in Live Review and tagged Backyard Band, funk, Ghostface Killah, go-go, hip hop, Lettuce, music festival, National Cannabis Festival, RFK Stadium Festival Grounds, Wiz Khalifa.

Wiz Khalifa smokes a joint while performing at the National Cannabis Festival on April 23, 2022. (Photos by Shedrick Pelt)

The National Cannabis Festival returned to RFK Stadium Festival Grounds recently to celebrate the leaps and bounds the cannabis community has made in the name of cannabis advocacy. Vendors, food trucks, local merchants, and of course smokers gathered to fellowship around the love for their favorite pastime.

A crowd estimated at 20,000+, throughout the day of April 23, showed up early to take advantage of the beautiful weather in the DMV. Carts and coolers in tow, the amazing musical lineup had everyone excited as they claimed their spot for the evening. Pro Cannabis organizations Legacy DC & Gifted Curators provided an educational element with a panel of speakers featuring Dead Prez’s M-1 and adult film star Sara Jay.

Live Review: Alkaline Trio and Bad Religion @ The Fillmore Silver Spring — 10/30/21

Posted on November 2, 2021 by shedrick pelt in Live Review and tagged Alkaline Trio, Bad Religion, California, Chicago, emo, hardcore punk, punk, The Fillmore Silver Spring.

Alkaline Trio performs at The Fillmore Silver Spring on Oct. 30, 2021. (Photos by Shedrick Pelt)

On Saturday, a weekend of ghoulish guests and things that go bump in the night, rock music took center stage at The Fillmore in Silver Spring during a jointly-headlined tour stop with Bad Religion and Alkaline Trio, two forefathers of the punk rock revival of the early-to-mid 90s.

Live Review: H.E.R. @ The Anthem — 10/25/21

Posted on October 27, 2021 by shedrick pelt in Live Review and tagged California, H.E.R., R&B, The Anthem.

H.E.R. performs at The Anthem on Oct 25, 2021. (Photos by Shedrick Pelt; Words by Emily Goodman)

Monday night saw the much-anticipated return of H.E.R. to the District for her October run of the “Back of My Mind Tour.”

On a drizzly autumn evening at The Wharf, a stylish crowd gathered in front of The Anthem in a long, winding line, excitedly awaiting entry to the sold-out show. The return of live music and the chance to see our favorite artists on tour once again (or for the first time) has been a humbling thrill. The Anthem and music venues across DC have made valiant efforts to protect live music goers and show that public health is possible – requiring that masks be worn indoors and that all patrons show proof of vaccination to attend shows.

With this reassurance in mind, H.E.R. fans from across the DMV packed The Anthem to the gills, ready to vibe with their favorite artist.

Live Review: Boldy James @ Songbyrd Music House — 10/6/21

Posted on October 8, 2021 by shedrick pelt in Live Review and tagged Boldy James, Detroit, hip hop, Michigan, Songbyrd Music House.

Boldy James in his element at Songbyrd Music House on Oct 6, 2021. (Photo by Shedrick Pelt)

Bo knows football and baseball but Boldy knows rap. Boldy knows the “Drug Zone” in Detroit and James Jones aka Boldy James knows exactly what his diehard fans want when he stops through a venue like Songbyrd Music House in Washington DC Wednesday night.

Live Review: J. Cole @ Capital One Arena — 10/4/21

Posted on October 7, 2021 by shedrick pelt in Live Review and tagged Capital One Arena, hip hop, J. Cole, North Carolina.

J. Cole performs during his ‘Off-Season Tour’ at Capital One Arena on Oct 4, 2021. (Photo by Shedrick Pelt)

It’s the 4th quarter, you’re down by 2 and the game is on the line, who better to pass the ball to for the game winning shot other than Grammy award winning, label owner, and hip-hop Icon Jermaine Lamarr Cole aka J. Cole.

After a two year live performance hiatus Cole returns to Capital One Arena in Washington DC Monday (Oct 4th) for the 8th stop along his highly anticipated nationwide outing The Off-Season Tour. The tour features frequent collaborator 21 Savage, upcoming Dreamville artist Morray, and rising comedian/social media star Druski. No surprise that the 20,000+ capacity venue was filled to the rafters with anxious Cole stans chanting “Dreamville, Dreamville, Dreamville!” in-between each openers set. The stadium was on fire quite literally and figuratively.

Live Review: Young Dolph and Key Glock @ The Fillmore Silver Spring — 3/1/20

Posted on March 5, 2020 by shedrick pelt in Live Review and tagged hip hop, Key Glock, Memphis, rap, Tennessee, The Fillmore Silver Spring, trap, Young Dolph.

Young Dolph & Key Glock perform at The Fillmore Silver Spring on March 1, 2020. (Photo by Shedrick Pelt)

Class is in session! Welcome to the No Rules Tour, led by Memphis OG Young Dolph and his cousin-slash-protégé Key Glock. A trap-rap classroom that teaches us how to stay down for the homies, never forget where you came from, ask for forgiveness instead of permission, and above all else, KEEP IT REAL!

Almost a year removed from their 2019 street-certified surprise collaboration Dum & Dummer, a project inundated with gritty punchlines and witty banter over 22 tracks, the two Ten-a-key (Tennessee) rappers enthusiastically embarked on a nationwide tour with a stop here in the DMV recently at The Fillmore Silver Spring.

Live Review: Cam’ron @ Howard Theater — 2/20/20

Posted on February 25, 2020 by shedrick pelt in Live Review and tagged Cam'ron, Cameron Giles, Harlem, hip hop, Howard Theatre, New York City, rap.

Cam’ron (Killa Cam) celebrates the release of his album Purple Haze 2 at the Howard Theater on Feb. 20, 2020. (Photo by Shedrick Pelt)

Every community has its ghost, myths, and legends. Moments and people on the timeline, whether good or bad, that define the way of life for the folks that live there. More often than not the historians that safeguard these precious stories, re-envision them using soliloquies and rhyming quips to narrate the epic events.

England has William Shakespeare — and Harlem, New York, has Cameron Giles, aka Killa Cam.

Live Review: Jasiah @ Songbryd Music House — 2/15/20

Posted on February 17, 2020 by shedrick pelt in Live Review and tagged Jasiah, Ohio, punk, rap, screamo, Songbyrd Music House.

Jasiah performs at Songbyrd Music House on Feb. 15, 2020. (Photo by Shedrick Pelt)

On any given day, surrounding yourself with people who love and support your art will make even your wildest dreams seem attainable. That love can nurture your creativity and make even your darkest fantasies come true.